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Is Baker heading to Cincinnati?

Is Baker heading to Cincinnati?

CINCINNATI -- Speculation about the Reds' managerial vacancy gathered steam on Thursday, but the club is officially maintaining silence on the issue.

Foxsports.com and the Cincinnati Enquirer reported via sources that former Cubs and Giants manager Dusty Baker interviewed for the position and could be the leading candidate.

Reached earlier in the day on Thursday, general manager Wayne Krivsky declined to discuss candidates or any part of the search process.

"Until we have something to announce, we're not going to discuss it openly in the press," Krivsky said from Sarasota, Fla., where the team is holding its annual organizational meetings.

Baker has a 1,162-1,041 career record with the Giants (1993-2002) and Cubs (2003-06), and is a three-time National League Manager of the Year winner.

An e-mail to Baker's agent, Greg Genske, was not returned.

The only other known candidate is interim manager Pete Mackanin, who took over the team from Jerry Narron on July 1 when Cincinnati was 31-51. Mackanin posted a 41-39 record and positioned himself as a leading contender for the permanent position.

Since Narron's dismissal, rumored candidates have also included former Marlins manager Joe Girardi and former Diamondbacks skipper Bob Brenly, who made his interest in the job known over the summer. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa's name also been a popular one as he mulls whether to return to St. Louis. Reds owner/CEO Bob Castellini was a former minority shareholder with the Cardinals.

Mackanin is at home in Bradenton, Fla., which is adjacent to Sarasota. But he has not participated in the club's meetings, which began on Thursday and run through Monday.